UAlbany Lecture Center lecture hall UAlbany Lecture Center lecture hall
Academic
Lecture Center Renovation
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Lecture Center Renovation

University at Albany|Albany, New York
Project Gallery
architecture+ is continuing design of the multi-phase +$40 million renovation and upgrade of the Lecture Center on the University at Albany Campus. The project includes the replacement of interior finishes, seating, light fixtures, HVAC systems/equipment, and the installation of new ceiling systems that replicate the original decorative sheet metal barrel vault ceilings as well as the vertical addition of one stop to an existing three-stop, two-sided hydraulic elevator. The vertical addition for the elevator, completed, provides the first accessible, code compliant route to the Lecture Center since the campus was constructed in 1965.
Project Type:
Academic
Higher Education
Cost:
$25 million (construction)
Size:
236,000 SF
UAlbany Lecture Center elevator addition
UAlbany Lecture Center elevator addition
 
Maintaining capacity
The 236,000 square foot Lecture Center consists of 14 tiered lecture halls with a total seating capacity of 3,025 in rooms ranging in size from 125 to 475 seats. These lecture halls are arranged along a pedestrian concourse that surrounds the academic podium’s central fountain and tower. The balance of the Lecture Center contains some classrooms, offices, support spaces, and mechanical rooms.
UAlbany Lecture Center lecture hall panoramic view
UAlbany Lecture Center lecture hall panoramic view
 
Significant Phasing
Approximately 50% of the campus classrooms and lecture areas are located in the Lecture Center. Because these lecture spaces are so heavily used, significant phasing challenges needed to be resolved to allow the University’s registrar to schedule classes while the building is being renovated. Through careful documentation of space utilization and course scheduling, the project team has demonstrated that there is adequate space availability to complete the project in approximately six phases.